New restaurants coming to Richmond region

Johnny Rockets will open a new restaurant inside the Richmond Coliseum on Friday, Dec. 13, just in time for the John Mayer concert. Local franchisee Kevin Sanford is behind the opening, his third Johnny Rockets in the Richmond market. Sanford also owns restaurants at Short Pump in Henrico County and Hancock Village in Chesterfield County.

Johnny Rockets’ hamburgers, shakes and fries, a chain based out of Aliso Viejo, Calif., are offered in many American sports centers, including FedEx Field and Yankee Stadium, as well as casinos, airports and amusement parks.

“Johnny Rockets thrives in venues where people go to have fun …” Sanford said in a statement. The Richmond Coliseum averages 130 events annually with an average annual attendance of more than 600,000 patrons.

At Short Pump Town Center in Henrico, a new player in the market, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, plans to open an 8,500-square-foot location in May 2014. Rock Bottom will be located in the mall’s food court on the second floor and will be able to seat about 350 people. Besides food, the restaurant will have an on-site brewery.